Brooklyn, Financial District and a bit of Times Square

Louis: I have to say, this is my first trip to New York...not for me. The garbage, the noise, I don't know how you put up with it.

Carrie: Thanks. I had a great time.

Louis: Wait, you're going home alone? It's rough out there.

Carrie: Nah. It isn't so bad.

Carrie (voiceover): If Louis was right, and you only get one great love, then New York may just be mine...and I can't have nobody talkin' shit about my boyfriend.

(A "Sex in the City" reference, for those who haven't followed the show.)
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NYC.  I'm afraid I would have to agree with Louis here folks.  I'm a City girl, but definitely not a New York girl.   It's hot, sweaty, stinky and full of millions and millions of people.  I guess you have to be raised here to fully appreciate it.  It's the one place we've been so far that has made me feel so incredibly homesick for Winnipeg.  I miss my little City.

We had made the decision to break our NYC sightseeing into 3 parts:  downtown, midtown and uptown.  Yesterday we decided to start downtown.  We started the day off by taking the subway into Brooklyn so that we could walk over the bridge into Manhattan.  The NYC subway system is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetimes.  The tunnels are hotter than hell, sometimes (ok, most times) smelling like urine, but thankfully the trains are airconditioned and fairly clean. 

After some confusion about direction, we made it on the right train and found ourselves in Brooklyn right by the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

The architecture is stunning, the bridge is so beautiful, and the view is a sight to be seen.  We could even see the Statue of Liberty from that walk, but we had an even better view from the Staten Island Ferry, which I'll get into in a little bit.

Just as we were over the bridge on the Manhattan side we noticed this building under construction.  Talk about architecture!!  We never did find out what it is, but just take a look at how it buckles and curves.  (Double click on it to make it larger.  It really is something else.) 

After walking the bridge and taking so many pictures, we decided to walk through the Financial District.  You know, Wall Street?

(New York Stock Exchange)

We then walked down to the water and took the Staten Island Ferry (which is FREE by the way!), and came pretty close to the Statue of Liberty.  Both Dale and I were looking forward to this. We could only imagine how it must have felt for those who were travelling by ship so many years ago to finally see Lady Liberty.

By this time, if I'm to be completely honest, I think Dorian was bored to tears.  I realize the absurdity of being bored in New York, but he is 14 and was hot and tired of walking around.  We had planned to go to the site of the World Trade Towers but after holding a family meeting decided to nix that idea this time around.  So, after holding a quick family vote, we hopped back on the Subway headed for Time Square!! 

Yah.

One word: 

Insane. 

I don't think I've ever seen so many people in one place in my entire life.  Packed like sardines, really.  I don't even know what to say about it.  I couldn't wait to get out of there.  It was so not for me.

We did stop into a few stores mainly to cool off, but I found myself in a store called "The Loft" and bought the cutest dress!

After spending an hour or so there, we hopped back on the Subway.  Turned out it was rush hour and we mistakenly took and "express" train, which doesn't stop at our stop.  We hopped off as soon as we could and had to back track, ensuring we caught a "local stop" train.  Finally we made it back to the apartment where ice cold beer awaited us.

We dressed for dinner (Italian), came back, and all promptly fell asleep for a couple hours.  Dale and I woke up around 10 and decided to walk over to the Meat Packing District to take a look at all the really cool clubs and restaurants.  Funny thing is, we feel totally safe here in NYC and last night was no different.  We saw so many "beautiful people".  Models really, dressed to the nines wearing the most amazing clothes (and shoes!!).  I felt so out of place in my little denim skirt, black t-shirt and flip flops, but it was still so interesting to see.  I wished we had brought the camera.  I suspect these people have grown very accustomed to having their pictures taken.  They were all so incredibly gorgeous. 

Finally we made it back around 11:30 and called it a night.

What a day.